Hotel Help Between LAX and Palm Springs
 

Will fly into LAX late and want to drive part of the way to Palm Springs. Any suggestions on town/hotel for stop over. Am not familiar with any of the towns on the 10 to Palm Springs.

If you are going to arrive at LAX during rush hour, you are indeed well advised to make a stop-over IMHO. Why not try Pasadena? I has a beautiful Old Town section with lots of restaurants that are fun to stroll to. Most of them are located in the area around Colorado Blvd..
A nice hotel there might be the Westin. The Courtyard by Marriott has a great location, too.
From Pasadena it's going to be approximately a 2 hour drive the next day. But it might well take you about 2 hours from the airport to get there.

Slightly further in that direction, Monrovia appears to be a developping area. It also has a nice center of twon that would offer a few choices for a nice dinner, especially if you count in Arcadia in the same area.

You mentioned that you are flying in "late", so you will probably not run into too much traffic if it is late at night. From LAX, just head north on the 405 to the 10 east. If you want to head away from L.A. towards Palm Springs, Ontario is about mid-way between the two on the 10 fwy and, because the Ontario Airport is nearby, there are quite a few hotels/motels. Check out tripadvisor.com for that area - the ride from Ontario to Palm Springs the next day should only take about 1 1/2 hours.

What time are you arriving? If it really is late, then you might be better off driving all the way to Palm Springs because you will not have to deal with the traffic. If you wait until the next morning, it will a longer trip although you will be going against most of the traffic.

Hsv's recommendation of Pasadena is a good one although I would never consider Pasadena on the way to PS from LAX. It is actually out of your way about 10-15 miles. However, there is not much on I10 so again depending on the time you arrive, it might be choice. You would definitely enjoy your stay there if you get there in time for dinner and a walk around. But then, you would be heading for Pasadena during rush hour and it could take you 1.5 hours or more to get there.

If you are getting in really late and am worried about being too tired to drive all the way to PS, I would suggest trying to get as far east as you can. Redlands has a Comfort Inn and a Dynasty Suites which get good reviews. Although San Bernardino is not a place I would normally stay there is a Best Western on Hospitality Lane that is decent. My friend stays there a lot for business and she is pretty picky.

Anyway, let us know more about your plans and flight times and we can help more.

As Sherri said, Ontario is also a good alternative and you would have more choices in hotels by the Ontario airport. Without traffic drive time is a little less than 1.5 hours into downtown Palm Springs.

paula,

I am well aware that Pasadena most likely is not on the direct route from LAX to PS.

However, I just tried to think of a stop-over place that's really nice. All I could think of in the general direction was Pasadena, which IMHO has a vibe about it that makes it really attractive.

However, as a (frequent) visitor my expertise most certainly isn't as well founded as yours.

hsv-I know why you picked Pasadena but just wanted to let the OP know that it is a little out of the way. As I said, there is nothing very appealing along I10. I love downtown Pasadena and if petsitter has time to go there I would recommend it. Although I now live north of San Diego, I lived in Monrovia at one time. It definitely has changed for the better. Thanks for mentioning it. The shops on Myrtle Ave are cute and that street has been used in many movies.

I guess it all depends on what time petsitter is arriving at LAX as to what plan fits best.

Thanks everyone for your much needed help. Ontario was the only place on the map I recognized. I was hesitant about some of the other cities not knowing anything about them. I did consider Pasadena (have tourist info and it looks nice) but we don't land until 10 p.m. which for us 50-somethings is bedtime! I will look into Redlands, Monrovia and Arcadia. Thanks again!

I live 2 minutes from Pasadena and Monrovia and I would not chose Monrovia over Pasadena. THe suggestions for hotels in Pasadena are great and I think you'd enjoy walking around Old Town the next day. Then take off for PS around noon and you'll miss any traffic. Monrovia's hotels are next to the freeway and not near the shopping district (unless you consider Comp. USA and Office Depot "shopping".

Oh the flip side, arriving at LAX at 10:00 p.m. means you won't get in to your Pasadena hotel until a little before midnight (unless you get your luggage and rental car FAST) and to pay for a hotel in Pasadena will be sort of a waste of money if you have to check out around noon the next day.

If I were you, I would stop by a self to a Starbucks with extra shot of caffeine and just drive to PS that night. You can take the 10 directly from the airport and be in PS in 2 hours max.
If you really want to see Pasadena...let me know...I can answer any questions you might have...use my PM since i don't check fodors every day.

ok, I must admit...you won't get from LAX to PS in two hours..but at the most 3 hours... maybe you should just stay at a hotel near the airport...not real thrilling, but as I said, you wouldn't get to Pasadena much before midnight, so why spend money on a hotel there either? Why not plan a day in Pasadena on your return?

tennislvr-Actually they probably could get to PS in 2 hours at that time of night. Looking at the map, it's a 121 miles from LAX to downtown Palm Springs. That's taking the 91 to the 60 to the 10 route but I would imagine the 405N to the 10E wouldn't be much different (and much less confusing).

However, sounds like you will be pretty tired. I still would try to get away from the west side of LA before stopping for the night if you don't think you can make it. That way you don't have to fight LA traffic the next morning. Do you have a particular time you need to be in Palm Springs? If you aren't checking in until the next day, then you might as well stay in Pasadena and look around Old Town in the morning. Just get on the road no later than 1 pm and you should make decent time to PS.

I based my info on the fact that we can make it to PS in 2 hours and we are 35 minutes from LAX (with no traffic in both cases). So I figure at a minimum it would take a visitor to these highways 3 hours.
And this is all calculated on driving with my hubby who never drives the speed limit - always 75-80 mph.

Hi Petsitter,

If you don't land until 10pm (assuming no flight delays), you then have to retrieve your luggage and get a shuttle to the rental car. That puts you on the road at 11pm. I don't know about you, but I don't like driving in an unfamiliar city late at night.

I would opt for an LAX area hotel, and get up early the next morning to make the PS drive.

We drive to Palm Desert frequently from the LAX area, in two hours, by leaving at 10am. (Friday's would take longer) No one has suggested the 105 Freeway east, out of LAX, it's speedy. We then take the 605 south for a couple miles and turn east on the 91 to Riverside and then the 60 east.

I agree with Ivk that you should just spend the night at an airport hotel, and go out the next morning. (Remember 10 am, no sooner, no later!) I suggest the Embassy Suites on Imperial Blvd. in El Segundo, you are out the door and right on the 105.

I would also stay in the LAX Area when you arrive and head out the next a.m. (after rush hour would be best). I would take the 105 Fwy E to the 605 N and then the 60 E all the way to Palm Springs (it turns into the 10 out by Banning). I think taking the 60 right from the LA area is easier than going to the 91 and then getting on the 60 out in Riverside Area.

Cali-I think your route would be the best also, less confusing and avoiding the 91 is usually a good idea. Petsitter, it probably would be better to just stay by LAX. Take MBnancy's advice about leaving for PS around 10am.

Thanks everyone for suggestions. It was helpful to have suggestions for which roads are best to take. We actually booked a hotel in Upland which is about half way (I think!) on the 110. After looking at all your suggestions I may have to rethink this.

Oops! I said the 110 but I meant the 10. I'm starting to feel like a real Californian saying "the" in front of all the road number!

petsitter-I think staying in Upland would be fine if you want to drive part of the way when you get in. Where are you staying in Upland? I am not aware of any hotels in Upland right off the 10. Ontario Airport is only two exits past Upland so there are many more hotels there. Let us know what hotel you picked.

My sis just moved to Southern Ca from Nortthern CA and thinks it's hilarious that everyone uses “the” in front of freeway numbers. In northern CA we don’t say the 80 or the 50, etc.

The Mission Inn in Riverside is well worth considering.

Riverside is on both THE 9 and THE 10.

:-B

I totally agree the Mission Inn is wonderful. It is historic and beautiful. Think there was typo in the previous posters post and they meant the 91 Fwy and it is not off the 10 Fwy but instead right off the 60 Fwy.

10pm arrival means 11pm departure after getting luggage, rental car etc...where are you coming from? If you are from back east your body will be on 2am time, and you're going to drive?
Definitely stay at LAX if it's a Fri or Sat night as traffic won't be too bad in the morning and you can get luxury hotels at LAX for $80 on the weekends.

My own $0.02 (worth what you paid for it?) is that either stay at an airport hotel (some decent places for great rates) you can be at in ten minutes or go for it all the way to the desert. You would make great time at that hour, as others have said.

Unless you want to check out a very cool historic property, i.e. the Mission Inn, it doesn't make sense to me to stay halfway on a 2-2.5 hr drive.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a safe, relaxing trip.

PSL

We are staying at the Bestwestern Mountainview Inn in Upland. We were looking to go inexpensive since we will be getting there late and leaving early. We live in Dallas so we are only 2 hours behind CA time. Hubby is doing the driving and he wanted to go half-way. We still have time to think about all this since we don't go until the middle of March. I plan on checking out the Mission Inn in Riverside. Thanks again.

If you are looking for inexpensive, skip the Mission Inn. I doubt you can get a room for less than $200.

Your gonna have to check out the next morning at 10am so all the suggestions to stay somewhere nice and check out the area the next day doesn't sit well with me. I wouldn't want all my things sitting in the trunk of my car while I look around nor would I want to stow it with the concierge.

I think you're right to either go halfway or (I'd chose) staying near the airport as suggested by others. Getting in at 10pm, collecting luggage, getting the rental car (I'd guess you'll be leaving the airport around 11pm) and then driving unfamiliar roads tired and in the dark? Yuck.

I drove LAX to Palm Desert by myself one Saturday morning (easy without rush hour but don't know when you're arriving) and found it pretty easy. And I'm not known for my driving skills....

I meant to say I don't know what DAY you're arriving...

We actually arrive on a Tuesday night so we would have to deal with rush hour traffic the next morning. We were hoping to get to Palm Springs early and get settled and play some golf. We'll see what happens.

Did I read correctly that you are staying at the BW in Upland? Yuk!
Why of all places go half way there?
If you are in Upland you might as well go another 45 minutes(69 miles) and you are in PS..
Are you two really old? No offense but this is the kind of question my 85 year old Grandmother would asks..

TahitiTams: Appreciate the heads up on the BW in Upland. If it's bad I don't want to stay there. However, I have a budget and don't want to spend alot for a hotel for a quick overnight. Is Upland only 45 minutes from PS? I have been to CA many times but have not done this route and really don't know driving distances and times. As for being old - we are not, but are early risers and by the time 10 pm Dallas time we are usually ready to sleep. We are golfers and 4 hours of fresh air and walking most days does us in! If the BW Upland is that bad I may just have to keep Hubby awake and drive all the way to PS.

I have not stayed at the BW in Upland and don't even know where it is, but how about trying one of the hotels around the Ontario Mills Mall which puts you right at the 15 & 10 Fwys and you can head out early in the a.m. Also, there are a number of hotels near Ontario Airport (not far from Ontario Mills) and I think you can get some of them for great prices on Priceline - worth a try. I'd try for a 3* and 2-1/2 next. Don't think I'd go for a lower * tho. If you don't know about Bidding for Travel check that out and they have ideas of what hotels are available in that area and ideas of what others have bid to get these hotels. I agree I would not drive all the way to PS if you fly in late and have to get your luggage and a car and then get on the road. Especially if you are early risers. Too easy to fall asleep at the wheel. Have a great trip.

The BW Upland is on Foothill Blvd. The reviews on tripadvisor aren't that bad but the hotel is not right off the 10, you will have to drive north a few miles. Depending on the price you are getting, the BW will be OK but I would check out priceline. You might be able to get a nicer hotel at Ontario Airport for the same price.

On biddingfortravel.com, the Ontario Hilton went for $49 and the Doubletree Ontario for $41. This was within the last 6 weeks. I would definitely try priceline.

I was going to suggest what Ed did: the Mission Inn in Riverside. I don't really think the halfway idea makes sense with such a small trip. Just stay somewhere nice in between. :-)

Paula:

Thanks for the tip on Priceline. I have never used them before and hesitate to try something new. But what the heck it's only for one night. This may be a good time to try it.

Go for it Petsitter. If you bid on a 3* in the Ontario Area you will get a hotel that is better than the BW and I am sure the price will be very reasonable. Keep us posted on how it turns out. Good luck!!

Thanks Cali!

Hi Petsitter..
Listen you are preaching to the choir on being on the golf course..
I understand the time situation after a 3 hour flight and getting in around 10pm but I think you go should all or nothing.. LAX would be your best bet for hanging for the night..Four Points Sheraton LAX can be had for pretty darn cheap and it is a 3.5*..If you get a good tall latte and head east on 10 from the 5, you can get there in less than 2 hours..
Sleep in and get a good game of golf in after a power breakfast at the club and then you are where you want to be..
I wish you all the best and hope whatever route you take that it is a happy and fun time!

Having lived in LA all my life, I would strongly suggest either checking into a hotel near the airport and driving to the desert in the morning (taking the 105 to the 605 to the 91 route someone mentioned earlier--there are carpool lanes that will help if there's traffic)
OR
going all the way to Palm Springs. At that time of night, you could get there in less than 2 hours. If you can drive one hour, you could probably drive 2.

It will take at least an hour to get to Upland, and not to offend anyone, but it is really kind of an unappealing place--as are most stops along the 10.

Have a fun trip!
Dina